Pacquiao siblings OK with Mommy D having boyfriend 25 years younger

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines—Mommy Dionisia’s children, including Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao, said her happiness was their utmost concern and they did not object to her having a boyfriend.

Just this week, the 65-year-old Pacquiao matriarch publicly admitted she was in a romantic relationship with a 40-year-old man named Michael.

She said she and Michael met at a birthday party, details of which she did not reveal.

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Dionisia Pacquiao. RICHARD A. REYES/INQUIRER PHOTO

Mommy D, as she is more popularly known, said Michael was also her escort when she celebrated her 65th birthday in May.

“He requested me not to reveal his full name and his background,” Mommy D told reporters here when pressed for more information about about Michael.

Bobby and Ruel Pacquiao said they were not against their mother’s having a boyfriend because all they wanted was for her to be happy.

But they said they wanted to meet Michael first to know more about him.

Representative Pacquiao said he trusted the wisdom of his mother.

“I believe that she’s capable of making the right decision,” the boxing champ said.

His wife, Sarangani Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao, said that like her husband, she was happy to know that Mommy D has found a new love.

“We support her in whatever decision she would make. We want her to be happy,” Jinkee said.

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But even with the support her children and in-laws have shown, Mommy D said she was not re-marrying yet.

“Don’t worry, I’m going to announce to the whole world once I decide get married again,” she told reporters here on Thursday.

Mommy D said Michael had no plans of getting married soon either as he was still planning to work abroad.

“Just in case, it’s not a problem to me. I can handle a long-distance relationship,” she said in jest.

Mommy D said she wanted to know Michael more deeply before making any life-shaping decision.

“I learned from my past relationships that it’s wrong to love with all our heart. Always leave something for yourself so that when a relationship fails, you’ll not be totally devastated,” she said.

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